Mass shootings are so commonplace in America that public reaction follows a predictable formula: "thoughts and prayers" to the victims, reminders of our nation's abysmal gun laws from the left, ire at those believed to be "politicizing" gun violence from the right.

This week, after a shooting in Virginia left four people wounded, including House majority whip Representative Steve Scalise, that formula took a bit of a turn. Republicans, who seem to have been specifically targeted by the shooter, have called on the left to tone down their anti-Trump rhetoric, claiming it stoked Wednesday's violence.

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For years, conservative lawmakers and pundits have turned a blind eye to the incendiary language used on the right and ignored related violence.

It's true that there's been a shocking increase of disturbing language in politics that needs to end. But while those on both sides of the aisle rightly condemn this week's heinous attack, we should criticize all rhetoric that contributes to real life violence—and be consistent in those denunciations.

For years, conservative lawmakers and pundits have turned a blind eye to the incendiary language used on the right and ignored related violence. When a shooter killed three people and wounded nine others at a Colorado Planned Parenthood in 2015, the attacker parroted the language of anti-choice politicians, yelling about "baby parts." But there was no reflection on how calling abortion providers "murderers" or making fantastical claims about Planned Parenthood's work might incite violence.

And of course, the president himself encouraged violence at his campaign rallies, saying he'd like to "punch" a protester in the face and reminiscing for the good old days when protesters were "carried out on a stretcher." A few months before the election, Trump even suggested that perhaps "the Second Amendment folks" could stop Hillary Clinton.

And so conservative's calls for toning down violent rhetoric fall flat when they've so often eschewed that very advice.

It's a sign of a deep national sickness that Americans have become so accustomed to horrific violence and threats—and that our politicians have done so little to stop it.

It's a sign of a deep national sickness that Americans have become so accustomed to horrific violence and threats—and that our politicians have done so little to stop it.

So in part, Republicans are right: We should be having a national conversation on the way hateful rhetoric can enable violence. It's way past time. But for that that discussion to be successful, it needs to be honest. I hope people of all political persuasions are up for it.

Jessica Valenti is a contributing editor to MarieClaire.com—read her weekly column here.

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